Parking Commission - November 21, 2019 Minutes
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Parking Commissioners of the City of Fargo, North Dakota, was held in the Commission Chambers at City Hall at 8:00 a.m., Thursday, November 21, 2019.
The Parking Commissioners present or absent were as follows:
Present: Chair Mike Williams, Randy Thorson, Austin Morris
Absent: Brian Hayer, Jay Krabbenhoft
Chairperson Williams called the meeting to order.
Item 1: Approve Order of Agenda
Member Thorson moved the Order of Agenda be approved as presented. Second by Member Morris. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 2: Minutes: Regular Meeting of October 31, 2019
Member Morris moved the minutes of the October 31, 2019 Parking Commission meeting be approved. Second by Member Thorson. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 3: Interstate Parking Report/Financial Data
a. October 2019
Fargo Operations Manager Vanessa Hernandez, Interstate Parking (IP), presented the October 2019 financial and operation reports. She also provided an update on the number of on-street warnings and citations issued since the downtown night parking enforcement went into effect on October 1.
Discussion was held regarding the expanded area IP now manages for the City, and staff’s goal to work towards a uniform year-round parking schedule for downtown versus the existing seasonal parking restrictions.
Item 4: Request for Parking Time Zone Change
a. Emergency Food Pantry
Director of Planning and Development Nicole Crutchfield introduced this item.
Stacie Loegering, Executive Director of the Emergency Food Pantry, spoke on behalf of the request noting food pantry staff, volunteers, and board members present today in the audience. Ms. Loegering talked about the hours of operation which include two four-hour shifts for volunteers, and the parking issues they have been experiencing with the existing 90-minute on-street parking restrictions resulting in warnings and citations. She explained the parking lot to the east of their building is used for clients, and the daily average of 10 to 15 volunteers who park on the street. Ms. Loegering stated the Emergency Food Pantry is requesting to change the existing on-street parking to a 4-hour zone.
Discussion was held regarding possible relocation of the program, and the background and rationale for the implementation of 90-minute parking in this neighborhood.
Steve Strege, Food Pantry volunteer, spoke on behalf of the request sharing his concerns about parking issues deterring people from volunteering.
Debbie Tite, Food Pantry volunteer, spoke on behalf of the request and her concern about where to re-park once the 90-minutes expire. Chair Williams clarified the City’s re-parking rules.
After further discussion it was suggested to implement the 4-hour parking time zone on a trial basis, which will be reviewed over the next few months to determine how it is working for Ms. Loegering’s staff and volunteers.
Member Thorson moved to recommend approval to the City Commission to change the parking time zone along 5th Avenue North between 11th and 12th Streets North, and 11th Street North between 4th and 5th Avenues North to a 4-hour parking time zone. Second by Member Morris. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Ms. Crutchfield stated this item will be brought before the City Commission for final approval, at which time Division Engineer Jeremy Gordon will be notified to update the existing signage.
Item 5: Staff Report
a. Discuss Proposed Bylaws
Ms. Crutchfield presented the bylaws and shared feedback staff received about the addition and selection of an alternate Board Member. Ms. Crutchfield stated staff is recommending to leave the language in the membership section generic. She explained this will allow the City Commission the option to appoint an alternate member based upon applicant interest and availability when a vacancy occurs.
Chair Williams suggested that Parking Commission Liaison Commissioner Piepkorn be allowed to act as the Alternate Member, as he regularly attends the meetings.
Melissa Rademacher, President of the Downtown Community Partnership (DCP), stated she is in favor of staff from the DCP serve on this Board.
Discussion was held regarding the following: the appointment of the Alternate Member be brought before the City Commission for approval; the importance of regular attendance by the Board Members to provide a quorum at each meeting; keeping the day and time of the monthly meetings the same; clarification that the bylaws can be amended at any time and will be reviewed yearly for Board approval; and the need to approve the bylaws as presented today to be effective immediately.
Member Thorson moved to approve the bylaws, rules, and procedures as written. Second by Member Morris. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 6: Other Business
Assistant Planner Maggie Squyer reported on parking preparations for the Parade of Lights event on Tuesday, November 26.
Member Thorson moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 a.m. Second by Member Morris. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.